As the evenings start to turn darker the chances of getting burgled begin to climb – unless you crack down on criminals now with home security measures.

Household thefts rise by 5 per cent in the week after the clocks go back in October, while November is the worst month of the year for break-ins – up 20 per cent, according to the latest home insurance claims data from insurer Aviva.

Fortunately, the odds of getting burgled are still slim, with less than two per cent of the 25million homes in Britain suffering a break-in each year. By taking extra precautions you can reduce the chance of becoming a victim – as well as save some money on your home insurance premiums.

Take precautions: Household thefts increase by 5 per cent in the week after the clocks go back next month

The modern-day burglar is not just looking for obvious signs that no one is in – for example, lights off over a long period or a mountain of post – or simply searching out homes where an easily-accessible ground floor window has been left open.

Some are now cyber-stalkers who are prepared to track your movements to see when you are away. They do this by monitoring social media sites and spying on how you use computers, tablets and smartphones.

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SIX STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM THEFT

1 Lock up: Keep doors and windows locked when you are asleep or the home is empty. An open window is an invitation to be burgled. Use deadlock bolt locks and secure lockable windows as approved by insurance companies. Your locksmith should be approved too – by trade body The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA).

2 Neighbourhood Watch: Signing up is free and enables communities to share information about break-ins. Being a member can cut 10 per cent off insurance premiums because the stickers deter burglars. It will offer security advice via website ourwatch.org.uk. Always tell close neighbours when you are away and give them spare keys.

3 Cyber crime: Potential burglars can check on your whereabouts through social media websites and high-tech gadgets such as smartphones. You can turn GPS tracking off using your settings while away and you should be careful about sharing photos and details on social websites while on holiday.

4 Alarms and lights: Use lights with timers, movement triggers or that are night sensitive. A British Standard-approved alarm should lower insurance premiums. A movement monitor alarm might cost £1,400 to install in a four-bedroom home with a further £100 a year charged for it to be checked for insurance purposes.

6 Garden sheds: Up to a third of shed owners have suffered a break-in. With contents typically worth £600 they should be fitted with a quality padlock. Items such as bicycles may not be insured if left in the garden.

Neighbourhood Watch schemes still act as a good deterrent. Kate Daisley, operations manager at the Government-backed national organisation, says: ‘The image of Neighbourhood Watch members being net curtain-twitchers is out of date.

'We offer advice and a host of ideas on how to tackle potential burglars – and you can start by putting one of our stickers in a window.

‘This will make criminals think twice and might typically lower home insurance premiums by 10 per cent.’

Although vigilance is still key to the 3.8 million Neighbourhood Watch members, the group also provides internet advice, details of criminals in the area and how they are breaking in.

Criminology graduate Kate is based in Leicester and head of a five-strong team of advisers. She says: ‘Most burglaries are opportunistic – so start with ensuring doors and windows have strong locks. Check with your insurance company for approved locks and make sure you use them.’

She adds: ‘If you are going away for a weekend or a late holiday, don’t leave any clues that you are away. This is not just about piles of post by the door or an empty driveway but it can also include electronic gadgets.

'Do not leave on any phone’s GPS tracking service which criminals can hack into and discover your whereabouts. And don’t upload any photos on the internet while abroad.’

Malcolm Tarling, spokesman at the Association of British Insurers, says that improving home security should not only help you sleep more easily at night but bring welcome savings to home and contents insurance costs.

He says: ‘Talk to your insurer and ask how you can lower your premiums. A popular way is to install an intruder alarm.

'It might cost more than £1,000 but it can cut your insurance costs by between 5 and 10 per cent a year.

‘Cancelling milk and newspapers is still important when going on holiday but these days you must also avoid splashing news about your holiday on social media – you never know who will end up reading it.’

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA CAN MAKE YOU VULNERABLE

Burglars are increasingly using social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter to spy on potential victims.

They are also hacking into smartphone apps that track personal movements and share information – such as Find My Friends, Life360 and Foursquare – where users can unwittingly give out personal details.

Security experts warn that even web cams – including those used as baby monitors – are not safe if burglars manage to obtain your passwords.

Anti-social media: Facebook, Twitter and a range of apps can reveal your whereabouts

Online security company Symantec fears homeowners are not always aware of how easy it is for cyber-criminals to make use of such information.

Sian John, security strategist at Symantec, says: ‘It is not the technology that is the problem but how people use it.’

She believes social network users should be wary of posting details of when they and others might be out of the home or on holiday – saving any downloaded pictures for their return.

John says it is also important to check that personal details and passwords are encrypted – only using websites that have an ‘https’ (hypertext transfer protocol secure) internet link rather than using the less secure ‘http’ network communication.

She adds: ‘Be wary of providing personal information with any downloaded software you do not wish to be shared and make sure any passwords are encrypted – if unsure ask the supplier.